Sugarloaf Baptist Church began as a dream of Fifth Street Baptist Church to see an ongoing ministry in this part of the Lower Keys.It began with a mission Vacation Bible School at the home of Pete and Pearl Morgan at Bay Point in the summer of 1978.Backyard Bible Clubs were held during the summer of 1979 through 1981; and, on February 18, 1982, Fifth Street Baptist Church voted to establish Sugarloaf Baptist Church.

In 1982, an adult bible study was conducted at the Morgan’s home; a Vacation Bible School was held at Sugarloaf School; and, on October 3, 1982, Bob Heterington led the first worship service at Sugarloaf School.Ralph Acree served briefly as interim pastor; and, in November 1982, Dr. John Carter began serving as the church’s pastor.Don Burgess served as pastor during the summer of 1983 while Dr. Carter was away.

In June of 1983, the church site was purchased with the assistance of a loan and a $7,295.00 grant from the Florida Baptist Convention.In February of 1984, the missions committee initiated the application process for a building permit from county, state and federal authorities. The young congregation had its groundbreaking service on February 13, 1984.Because the church’s land is located in a section of freshwater wetlands, the permitting process was quite difficult, resulting in a delay of 2 ½ years before construction work could begin.

In the meantime, Rev. Mark Beasley began serving as pastor of the church in June of 1984, coming to the Keys through the Church Planter Apprentice program of the Home Mission Board.

Finally, in July of 1986, the church secured a building permit and prepared to begin construction in the winter of 1987.After 4 ½ years of work and patience, the facility was completed and the first service was held in the churchon June 16, 1991.

This project has been a labor of love – Christ’s love – demonstrated in the lives of gifted people from all over the state of Florida, as well as other parts of the United States.These individuals have given of their time and energy to see this dream become a reality.Our prayer was and still is that this church will standas a beacon – lifting up the name of Christ to this community for years to come.